Surface treating composition for copper and copper alloy and utilization thereof

ABSTRACT

A surface treating composition for copper or a copper alloy comprising an imidazole compound and means for using the composition in the soldering of electronic parts to printed wiring boards are disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a surface treating composition used insoldering electronic parts and the like to a circuit part comprisingcopper or a copper alloy of a printed wiring board, and utilization ofthe composition.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, surface mounting with increased mounting density has beenwidely employed as a mounting method in the production of printed wiringboards. Such methods of surface mounting can be classified into (i) adouble-sided surface mounting method of joining chip parts with a solderpaste, (ii) a mixed mounting method combining surface mounting of chipparts with a solder paste and through-hole mounting of discrete parts,and the like. In each of these mounting methods, a printed wiring boardis subjected to multiple rounds of soldering, and therefore, develops asevere thermal history due to repeated exposure to high temperatures.

Exposure to high temperatures can have a negative effect on the copperor copper alloy that constitutes the circuit parts of the printed wiringboard due to formation of an oxide coating film on a surface of thecopper or copper alloy. Repeated exposure to the high temperatures canaccelerated formation of the oxide coating film. Good solderability ofthe surface of the circuit part cannot be maintained as the coatingdevelops.

In order to protect the copper or copper alloy of a circuit part of sucha printed wiring board from air oxidation, a treatment that produces achemical conversion coating on the surface of the circuit part, using asurface treating composition, is widely used. It is required that thechemical conversion coating be maintained on the circuit part withoutmodification (deterioration) even after the circuit part has receivedmultiple thermal histories, thereby maintaining good solderability.

Eutectic solders comprising a tin-lead alloy have been widely used forjoining electronic parts to a printed wiring board and the like. Inrecent years, however, harmful effects on the human body by lead (Pb)contained in the solder alloy have been recognized, and use of soldersfree of lead is now required. For this reason, various lead-free soldershave been investigated. For example, lead-free solders comprising tin(Sn) as a base metal, having added thereto a metal such as silver (Ag),zinc (Zn), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), antimony (Sb), cobalt (Co),manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), or copper (Cu), have been proposed.

The conventional Sn—Pb eutectic solder has excellent wettability to asurface of a metal, particularly copper, used in a joining basematerial, and strongly joins to copper. Therefore, high reliability isachieved in bondability between copper members.

In contrast, lead-free solders typically have poor wettability to asurface of copper, as compared with the conventional Sn—Pb eutecticsolder, and therefore have poor solderability. As a result, joiningdefects, such as the occurrence of voids, are common when lead-freesolders are used, which can result in low joint strength.

For this reason, selection of a solder alloy having better solderabilityand a flux suitable for lead-free soldering is required when lead-freesolders are employed. Also, a surface treating composition that canprevent oxidation of a copper or copper alloy surface and that has theproperties of improving the wettability of lead-free solder and ofallowing good solderability are required.

Many lead-free solders have a high melting point, and therefore thesoldering temperature is about 20° C. to 50° C. higher than that of aconventional tin-lead eutectic solder. Therefore, an improved surfacetreating composition would also be required to form a chemicalconversion coating having excellent heat resistance.

Various imidazole compounds are proposed as an effective component ofsuch an improved surface treating composition. For example, PatentDocument 1 discloses 2-alkylimidazol compounds such as2-undecylimidazole, Patent Document 2 discloses 2-arylimidazolecompounds such as 2-phenylimidazole and 2-phenyl-4-methylimidazole,Patent Document 3 discloses 2-alkylbenzimidazole compounds such as2-nonylbenzimidazole, Patent Document 4 discloses 2-aralkylbenzimidazolecompounds such as 2-(4-chlorophenylmethyl)benzimidazole, and PatentDocument 5 discloses 2-aralkylimidazole compounds such as2-(4-chlorophenylmethyl)imidazole and2-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole. However, whensurface treating compositions containing these imidazole compounds weretested, the heat resistance of chemical conversion coatings formed on acopper surface was found to be unsatisfactory. Furthermore, whensoldering was performed, the wettability of the solder was found to beinsufficient, and good solderability was not obtained. Particularly,when soldering was performed on a copper surface treated with a surfacetreating composition comprising one of the referenced imidazolecompounds and lead-free solder was used in place of tin-lead eutecticsolder, acceptable results were not obtained.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP-B 46-17046 (1971)

Patent Document 2: JP-A 4-206681 (1992)

Patent Document 3: JP-A 5-25407 (1993)

Patent Document 4: JP-A 5-186888 (1993)

Patent Document 5: JP-A 7-243054 (1995)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,with the objective of providing a surface treating composition which,upon chemical conversion when reacting with a surface of copper or acopper alloy (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as “copper”), canform a coating having excellent properties of heat resistance andwettability to solder on the surface. The copper or copper alloy mayconstitute, for example, a circuit part and the like of a printed wiringboard. Surface treatment using the composition of the present inventionwill enhance solderability when electronic parts and the like are joinedto the printed wiring board using solder. The present invention also hasthe objective of providing a method for treating a surface of a printedwiring board, and an improved method of soldering.

As a result of keen investigations to meet the above objectives, thepresent inventors have developed a surface treating compositioncontaining an imidazole compound represented by chemical formula (I). Ithas been found that by treating a printed wiring board having a circuitpart, in particular where the circuit part constitutes copper or acopper alloy, with the surface treating composition, a chemicalconversion coating having excellent heat resistance that is durable tothe soldering temperature of a lead-free solder, is formed on a surfaceof the circuit part. Further, it has been found that by forming thechemical conversion coating, wettability of solder to the surface of thecopper or the copper alloy, specifically wettability of solder to asurface of the chemical conversion coating formed on the surface of thecopper or the copper alloy, is improved and good solderability to thecopper or copper alloy is achieved, especially when the soldering uses alead-free solder. In light of these findings, the present invention hasbeen achieved.

That is, in a first aspect the present invention is directed to asurface treating composition for copper or a copper alloy, comprising animidazole compound represented by the chemical formula (I).

In the chemical formula (I), A represents a group represented by thefollowing formula (II) or a group represented by formula (III), Brepresents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a phenyl group, and Zrepresents a group represented by formula (IV) or a group represented byformula (V),

wherein n is 0, 1 or 2.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a surface of copper or a copper alloy, comprising contacting asurface of copper or a copper alloy with the surface treatingcomposition of the first aspect of the present invention.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a printed wiringboard comprising at least one circuit part, wherein the circuit partcomprises copper or a copper alloy and a chemical conversion coating ona surface of the copper or the copper alloy, wherein the coating isformed by contacting the surface of the copper or the copper alloy withthe surface treating composition of the first aspect of the presentinvention.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forforming a chemical conversion coating on at least one circuit part of aprinted wiring board, comprising contacting at least one circuit part ofa printed wiring board with the surface treating composition of thefirst aspect of the present invention, wherein the circuit partcomprises copper or a copper alloy, thereby forming a chemicalconversion coating on at least one circuit part of a printed wiringboard.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forsoldering, comprising contacting a surface of copper or a copper alloywith the surface treating composition of the first aspect of the presentinvention and soldering to the copper or copper alloy.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forsoldering an electronic part to a circuit part of a printed wiringboard, comprising (a) contacting a circuit part of a printed wiringboard with the surface treating composition of the first aspect of thepresent invention, wherein the circuit part comprises copper or a copperalloy, and (b) soldering an electronic part to the circuit part of (a),thereby soldering an electronic part to a circuit part of a printedwiring board.

The surface treating composition of the present invention forms achemical conversion coating having excellent heat resistance propertieson a surface of copper or a copper alloy, such as a circuit part and thelike of a printed wiring board that is comprised of copper or a copperalloy. Further, the coating remarkably improves the wettability oflead-free solder to the coated surface, thereby enhancing solderabilityto the copper or copper alloy.

Furthermore, the soldering method of the present invention enables touse of a solder which does not contain lead, which is a harmful metal,and is therefore useful from the standpoint of environmental protection.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described in detail below.

The imidazole compounds used in the surface treating composition of thepresent invention are represented by the above-described chemicalformula (I). The imidazole compounds have a structure wherein a thienylgroup or a thienylmethyl group is bonded to the 2-position of animidazole ring, wherein a phenyl group, a chlorophenyl group, adichlorophenyl group, or a naphthyl group is bonded to 4 (5)-positionthereof, and wherein a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a phenyl groupis bonded to 5 (4)-position thereof.

The imidazole compounds can be synthesized by, for example, employing asynthesis method shown in the following reaction scheme. As an amidinecompound, an amidine hydrochloride compound can be preferably used.

In the formula, A, B and Z are the same as defined above, and Xrepresents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom.

The imidazole compounds include:

-   (A) imidazole compounds in which B is a hydrogen atom and Z is a    2-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole;-   (B) imidazole compounds in which B is a methyl group and Z is a    2-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   5-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole, and-   5-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole;-   (C) imidazole compounds in which B is a phenyl group and Z is a    2-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4,5-diphenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole;-   (D) imidazole compounds in which B is a hydrogen atom and Z is a    3-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole;-   (E) imidazole compounds in which B is a methyl group and Z is a    3-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   5-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole, and-   5-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole;-   (F) imidazole compounds in which B is a phenyl group and Z is a    3-thienyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4,5-diphenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole;-   (G) imidazole compounds in which B is a hydrogen atom and Z is a    2-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole;-   (H) imidazole compounds in which B is a methyl group and Z is a    2-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   5-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   5-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole;-   (I) imidazole compounds in which B is a phenyl group and Z is a    2-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4,5-diphenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole;-   (J) imidazole compounds in which B is a hydrogen atom and Z is a    3-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole;-   (K) imidazole compounds in which B is a methyl group and Z is a    3-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   5-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   5-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole;-   (L) imidazole compounds in which B is a phenyl group and Z is a    3-thienylmethyl group in the chemical formula (I), such as,-   4,5-diphenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole,-   4-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole, and-   4-(2-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-2-(3-thienylmethyl)imidazole.

The surface treating composition of the present invention are preparedby dissolving one or more of the imidazole compounds of formula (I) inwater.

In the present invention, a single imidazole compound represented by theabove chemical formula (I) can be used alone in the composition, orsurface treating compositions can be formed using combinations of two ormore of the imidazole compounds. Thus, the surface treating compositionof the present invention may comprise one, two, three, four, five, ormore, of the imidazole compounds of chemical formula (I). Similarly, theconventional imidazole compounds in the same technical field as thepresent invention can be also used in combination with one or more ofthe imidazole compounds of the present invention, i.e., those imidazolecompounds of chemical formula (I).

The total amount of imidazole compound present in the surface treatingcomposition is preferably from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt %, and more preferablyfrom 0.1 wt % to 5 wt %. If the amount of imidazole compound containedin the surface treating composition is less than 0.01 wt %, thethickness of the chemical conversion coating formed on the surface ofthe copper or copper alloy may be decreased, and as a result, oxidationof the surface may not be sufficiently prevented. If the amount ofimidazole compound is more than 10 wt %, the imidazole compound mayremain undissolved in the surface treating composition, or even wherecompletely dissolved, the imidazole compound may separate out again. Ifthe imidazole compound is not sufficiently dissolved in the surfacetreating composition, particles of the imidazole compound may attach tothe copper or copper alloy surface, and solderability of the surface maybe impaired.

In addition to the imidazole compound, the surface treating compositionof the present invention may include one or more of the following: (a) asolubilizing agent, (b) an organic solvent, (c) a metal salt, (d) ahalogen compound, (e) a metal compound, (f) a coordination compound, (g)an iron compound, and (h) a complexan compound, as auxiliary agents.

As suggested above, a solubilizing agent may be included in the surfacetreating composition of the present invention. When included, organicacids and/or inorganic acids (hereinafter sometimes merely referred toas “acid”) are used as the solubilizing agent.

Representative examples of the organic acid include formic acid, aceticacid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, heptanicacid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, lauric acid,isobutyric acid, 2-ethylbutyric acid, oleic acid, glycolic acid, lacticacid, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, gluconic acid,glyceric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, chloroaceticacid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid,iodoacetic acid, methoxyacetic acid, ethoxyacetic acid, propoxyaceticacid, butoxyacetic acid, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)acetic acid,2-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetic acid,2-{2-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}acetic acid, 3-methoxypropionicacid, 3-ethoxypropionic acid, 3-propoxypropionic acid, 3-butoxypropionicacid, levulinic acid, glyoxylic acid, pyruvic acid, acetoacetic acid,acrylic acid, crotonic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid,glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, benzoic acid,p-nitrobenzoic acid, picric acid, salicylic acid, p-toluenesulfonicacid, methanesulfonic acid, and sulfamic acid. Examples of the inorganicacid include hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, andnitric acid.

The acids can be used alone or in combinations of two or more thereof.Thus, two or more organic acids may be used as a solubilizing agent, twoor more inorganic acids may be used as a solubilizing agent, andcombinations of one or more organic acids may be used with one or moreinorganic acids as a solubilizing agent.

When used, the total amount of solubilizing agent present in the surfacetreating composition is preferably from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt %, and morepreferably from 1 wt % to 30 wt %.

In the present invention, an organic solvent can be used together withthe solubilizing agent, or in place of the solubilizing agent.

As the organic solvent, compounds freely miscible with water arepreferred. Examples thereof include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol,n-propanol, 2-propanol, n-butanol, or ethylene glycol; cellosolves suchas ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether orethylene glycol monobutyl ether; acetone; and N,N-dimethylformamide.These organic solvents can be used alone or in combinations of two ormore thereof.

When used, the total amount of organic solvent present in the surfacetreating composition is preferably from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt %, and morepreferably from 1 wt % to 40 wt %.

A metal salt such as a copper compound or a zinc compound can be addedas an auxiliary agent to the surface treating composition of the presentinvention. For example, inclusion of a copper compound as an auxiliaryagent in the surface treating composition increases the rate at whichthe chemical conversion coating is formed on a surface of copper or acopper alloy. Inclusion of a zinc compound as an auxiliary agent in thesurface treating composition increases the heat resistance of thechemical conversion coating formed on the surface of copper or a copperalloy.

Examples of copper compounds include copper formate, copper acetate,copper oxalate, copper (I) chloride, copper (II) chloride, copper (I)bromide, copper (II) bromide, copper iodide, copper hydroxide, copperphosphate, copper sulfate, and copper nitrate. A single copper compound,or combinations of two or more copper compounds, can be used as anauxiliary agent.

Examples of zinc compounds include zinc oxide, zinc formate, zincacetate, zinc oxalate, zinc lactate, zinc citrate, zinc sulfate, zincnitrate, zinc phosphate, zinc chloride, zinc bromide, and zinc iodide. Asingle zinc compound, or combinations of two or more zinc compounds, canbe used as an auxiliary agent.

When included in the surface treating composition as an auxiliary agent,the copper compound may be present in an amount of preferably from 0.01wt % to 10 wt %, and more preferably from 0.02 wt % to 5 wt %.

When included in the surface treating composition as an auxiliary agent,the zinc compound may be present in an amount of preferably from 0.01 wt% to 10 wt %, and more preferably from 0.02 wt % to 5 wt %.

In order to further improve the film-forming properties of a chemicalconversion coating and the heat resistance of the coating, a halogencompound may be added as an auxiliary agent to the surface treatingcomposition of the present invention.

Examples of halogen compounds include sodium fluoride, potassiumfluoride, ammonium fluoride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride,ammonium chloride, chloropropionic acid, sodium bromide, potassiumbromide, ammonium bromide, bromopropionic acid, sodium iodide, potassiumiodide, ammonium iodide, and iodopropionic acid. A single halogencompound, or a combination of two or more halogen compounds, can be usedas an auxiliary agent.

When included in the surface treating composition as an auxiliary agent,the halogen compound may be present in an amount of preferably from0.001 wt % to 1 wt %, and more preferably from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt %.

In addition to the metals salts (i.e., copper compounds and zinccompounds) and halogen compounds described above, a metal compound canbe added to the surface treating composition of the present invention asfurther auxiliary agent. Examples of suitable metal compounds include amanganese compound, a cobalt compound and a nickel compound. Examples ofmanganese compounds include manganese formate, manganese chloride,manganese oxalate, manganese sulfate and manganese carbonate. Examplesof cobalt compounds include cobalt acetate, cobalt sulfate and cobaltnitrate. Examples of nickel compounds include nickel chloride, nickelacetate, nickel nitrate, nickel carbonate, and nickel sulfate. A singlemetal compound, or a combination of two or more metal compounds, can beused as an auxiliary agent.

When included, the total amount of metal compound present in the surfacetreating composition is preferably from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt %, and morepreferably from 0.02 wt % to 5 wt %.

A coordination compound, such as crown ether, bipyridine, porphyrin orphenanthroline, may also be added as an auxiliary agent to the surfacetreating composition. The coordination compound functions indenaturating a chemical conversion coating. A single coordinationcompound, or a combination of two or more coordination compounds, can beused as an auxiliary agent.

When included, the total amount of coordination compound present in thesurface treating composition is preferably from 0.001 wt % to 10 wt %,and more preferably from 0.01 wt % to 5 wt %.

An iron compound and a complexan compound (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or the like) can be added as a further auxiliary agentto the surface treating composition of the present invention in order toaccelerate formation rate of a chemical conversion coating on a surfaceof copper while suppressing formation of a chemical conversion coatingon a surface of gold (Au) (see JP-A 9-291372, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference).

The pH of the surface treating composition may be set prior to treatinga surface of copper or copper alloy. The particular pH of thecomposition will depend on the constitution (kind and content ofcomponents) of the surface treating composition and on the amount oftime and the temperature at which the treatment takes place.

In the case of decreasing the pH, the above-described organic acid orinorganic acid (solubilizing agent) can be used, whereas in the case ofincreasing pH, there can be preferably used, for example, sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and materials having a buffering actionincluding ammonia and amines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamineand triethanolamine.

The conditions under which a surface of copper or a copper alloy istreated using the surface treating composition of the present inventionare preferably those under which the liquid temperature of the surfacetreating composition is set to a range of from 10° C. to 70° C. Otherconditions include the amount of time with which the copper or copperalloy surface is treated by the surface treating composition. Thecontact time ranges from 1 second to 10 minutes.

Suitable methods for contacting a surface of copper or a copper alloywith the surface treating composition are not particularly critical tothe methods of the present invention and include dipping, spraying andcoating. Additional means will be apparent to the skilled artisan.

Examples of the solders that may be used in the methods of the presentinvention include the conventional Sn—Pb eutectic solders, as well aslead-free solders such as Sn—Ag—Cu based solders, Sn—Ag—Bi basedsolders, Sn—Bi based solders, Sn—Ag—Bi—In based solders, Sn—Zn basedsolders, and Sn—Cu based solders.

The soldering method of the present invention can be adaptable to a flowprocess of running a printed wiring board on a solder bath containing aheat-melted liquid solder to conduct soldering to a joint between anelectronic part and the printed wiring board, or a reflow process ofpreviously printing a solder paste to a printed wiring board inconformity with a copper circuit pattern, mounting an electronic partthereon, heating the printed wiring board to melt solder, and conductingsoldering.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is specifically described below by reference toExamples and Comparative Examples, but the invention is not construed asbeing limited thereto.

Imidazole compounds and evaluation test methods employed in Examples andComparative Examples are as follows.

Imidazole Compound

Imidazole compounds employed in the Examples are as follows.

4-Phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as “A-1”)

5-Methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as“A-2”)

4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafterabbreviated as “A-3”)

4-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafterabbreviated as “A-4”)

4-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafterabbreviated as “A-5”)

4,5-Diphenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as “A-6”)

4-(1-Naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as “A-7”)

4-(2-Naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as “A-8”)

5-Methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviatedas “A-9”)

5-Methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviatedas “A-10”)

5-Methyl-4-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as“A-11”)

5-Methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviatedas “A-12”)

4-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole(hereinafter abbreviated as “A-13”)

4-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole(hereinafter abbreviated as “A-14”)

4-(2-Naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole (hereinafter abbreviated as“A-15”)

Methods for producing the exemplified compounds are shown in ReferenceExamples 2 to 16. Reference Example 1 provides the means forsynthesizing 2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride, which is a rawmaterial used in the production of imidazole compounds beginning withReference Example 2.

Reference Example 1 Synthesis of 2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride

To 25 g of dehydrated dichloromethane were added 51.0 g (0.467 mol) of2-cyanothiophene and 22.6 g (0.49 mol) of dehydrated ethanol anddissolved. To the resulting mixture, 27.4 g (0.752 mol) of hydrogenchloride gas was introduced at 4° C. to 10° C. over 2 hours under icecooling. Stirring was continued at the same temperature, and as aresult, about 2 hours later, crystals were precipitated.

The reaction liquid was allowed to stand in a refrigerator controlled at5° C. for 3 days, and a solvent was then distilled away under reducedpressure to obtain 89.0 g (0.464 mol, yield: 99.4%) of ethyl2-thiopheneimidate hydrochloride in wine-colored crystalline bulk state.

The ethyl 2-thiopheneimidate hydrochloride was pulverized, and anethanol solution obtained by absorbing 13.6 g (0.799 mol) of ammoniainto 80 g of dehydrated ethanol was poured thereto little by littleunder ice cooling, followed by stirring for 4 hours. Then, thetemperature was returned to room temperature, and the mixture wasfurther stirred overnight.

A solvent was distilled away from the reaction suspension, a solidconcentrate was washed with 300 mL of hexane-dichloromethane (2:1 volumeratio) mixed solution, and dried under reduced pressure, to therebyobtain 72.0 g (0.443 mol, yield 94.8% to 2-cyanothiophene) of2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride in slightly wine-colored powderstate.

Reference Example 2 Synthesis of A-1

A suspension consisting of 24.4 g (0.15 mol) of 2-thiophenecarboxamidinehydrochloride, 54 g (0.391 mol) of potassium carbonate and 81 g ofN,N-dimethylacetamide was stirred at 50° C. for 15 minutes, and asolution consisting of 29.9 g (0.150 mol) of 2-bromoacetophenone and 75g of toluene was added dropwise thereto at 50° C. to 55° C. over 40minutes, followed by stirring at 70° C. for 3.5 hours.

The resulting reaction suspension was cooled and then washed with 500 mLof water twice, and solid contents precipitated in the toluene layerwere recovered by filtration. The cake recovered was sequentially washedwith toluene and water and dried under reduced pressure, to therebyobtain 18.1 g (crude yield 53.3%) of yellowish brown powder.

The powder was recrystallized from acetonitrile to thereby obtain 12.8 g(0.0566 mol, yield 37.7%) of 4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole incream-colored crystalline state.

Reference Example 3 Synthesis of A-2

A-2 (5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesized accordingto the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromopropiophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 4 Synthesis of A-3

A-3 (4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesizedaccording to the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-4′-chloropropiophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 5 Synthesis of A-4

A-4 (4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) wassynthesized according to the method of Reference Example 2, except foremploying 2-bromo-2′,4′-dichloropropiophenone in place of2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 6 Synthesis of A-5

A-5 (4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) wassynthesized according to the method of Reference Example 2, except foremploying 2-bromo-3′,4′-dichloropropiophenone in place of2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 7 Synthesis of A-6

A-6 (4,5-diphenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-2-phenylacetophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 8 Synthesis of A-7

A-7 (4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-1′-acetophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 9 Synthesis of A-8

A-8 (4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-2′-acetophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 10 Synthesis of A-9

A-9 (5-methyl-4-(1-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesizedaccording to the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-1′-propionaphthone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 11 Synthesis of A-10

A-10 (5-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesizedaccording to the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-bromo-2′-propionaphthone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 12 Synthesis of A-11

First, 3-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride was synthesized accordingto the method of Reference Example 1, except for employing3-cyanothiophene in place of 2-cyanothiophene.

Then, A-11 (5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(3-thienyl)imidazole) was synthesizedaccording to the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing3-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride in place of2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride, and 2-bromopropiophenone inplace of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 13 Synthesis of A-12

First, 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 1, except for employing2-thiopheneacetonitrile in place of 2-cyanothiophene.

Then, A-12 (5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole) wassynthesized according to the method of Reference Example 2, except foremploying 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride in place of2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride, and 2-bromopropiophenone inplace of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 14 Synthesis of A-13

First, 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 1, except for employing2-thiopheneacetonitrile in place of 2-cyanothiophene.

Then, A-13(4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole) wassynthesized according to the method of Reference Example 2, except foremploying 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride in place of2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride, and2-bromo-2′,4′-dichloropropiophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 15 Synthesis of A-14

First, 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 1, except for employing2-thiopheneacetonitrile in place of 2-cyanothiophene.

Then, A-14(4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole) wassynthesized according to the method of Reference Example 2, except foremploying 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride in place of2-thiophenecarboxamidine hydrochloride, and2-bromo-3′,4′-dichloropropiophenone in place of 2-bromoacetophenone.

Reference Example 16 Synthesis of A-15

First, 2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride was synthesized according tothe method of Reference Example 1, except for employing2-thiopheneacetonitrile in place of 2-cyanothiophene.

Then, A-15 (4-(2-naphthyl)-2-(2-thienylmethyl)imidazole) was synthesizedaccording to the method of Reference Example 2, except for employing2-thienylacetamidine hydrochloride in place of 2-thiophenecarboxamidinehydrochloride, and 2-bromo-2′-acetonaphthone in place of2-bromoacetophenone.

Chemical formulae of imidazole compounds A-1 to A-15 are shown below.

The imidazole compounds employed in the Comparative Examples are asfollows.

2-Undecylimidazole (trade name: C11Z, manufactured by Shikoku ChemicalsCorporation, hereinafter abbreviated as “Z-1”)

2-Benzyl-4-phenylimidazole (synthesized according to the methoddescribed in JP-A 2010-150651, hereinafter abbreviated as “Z-2”)

2-Phenylimidazole (trade name: 2PZ, manufactured by Shikoku ChemicalsCorporation, hereinafter abbreviated as “Z-3”)

2-Phenyl-4-methylimidazole (trade name: 2P4MZ, manufactured by ShikokuChemicals Corporation, hereinafter abbreviated as “Z-4”)

2-Nonylbenzimidazole (manufactured by SIGMA-ALDRICH, hereinafterabbreviated as “Z-5”)

2-Benzylbenzimidazole (synthesized according to the method described inScience of Synthesis, 12, 529 (2002), hereinafter abbreviated as “Z-6”)

The chemical formulae of the imidazole compounds Z-1 to Z-6 are shownbelow.

Evaluation test methods employed in Examples and Comparative Examplesare as follows.

Evaluation Test of Solder Flow-Up Properties

Glass-epoxy resin-made printed wiring board having a size of 120 mm(length)×150 mm (width)×1.6 mm (thickness) and having 300 copperthrough-holes each having an inner diameter of 0.80 mm was used as atest piece. The test piece was subjected to degreasing, microetching andwater washing. Thereafter, the test piece was dipped in a surfacetreating composition maintained at a given liquid temperature for agiven period of time, and then subjected to water washing and drying, tothereby form a chemical conversion coating having a thickness of fromabout 0.10 μm to 0.50 μm on a surface of copper.

The test piece having been subjected to the surface treatment wassubjected to reflow heating, in which the peak temperature was 240° C.,three times using an infrared reflow apparatus (product name:MULTI-PRO-306, manufactured by Vitronics), and soldering was thenconducted using a flow soldering apparatus (conveyor speed: 1.0 m/min).

The solder employed is Sn—Pb eutectic solder (trade name: H63A,manufactured by Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.) having a composition of63Sn-37Pb (wt %), and flux employed in soldering is JS-64MSS(manufactured by Koki Company Limited). The soldering temperature was240° C.

Soldering was also conducted to a test piece having been subjected tothe surface treatment, employing lead-free solder in the same manner asin the case of the Sn—Pb eutectic solder. The lead-free solder (tradename: H705 ECO SOLDER, manufactured by Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.)had a composition of 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (wt %), and the flux employed inthe soldering was JS-E-09 (manufactured by Koki Company Limited). Peaktemperature of reflow heating was 245° C., and the soldering temperaturewas 245° C.

Regarding the test piece having been subjected to soldering, the numberof through-holes (soldered through-holes) in which the solder fills thehole to an upper land part of a copper through-hole was counted, and theproportion (%) to the total number of through-holes (300 holes) wascalculated.

Molten solder easily permeates copper through-holes and fills the holesto the upper land part of the through-hole with increasing wettabilityof solder to a surface of copper. That is, it is judged that wettabilityof solder to copper is more excellent and solderability is better, withan increase in the proportion of the number of through-holes in whichsolder filled the hole to the upper land part to the total number ofthrough-holes.

Evaluation Test of Solder Spreadability

A glass epoxy resin-made print wiring board having a size of 50 mm(length)×50 mm (width)×1.2 mm (thickness) was used as a test piece. Onthe test piece, 10 circuit parts each comprising a copper foil andhaving a conductor width of 0.80 mm and a length of 20 mm had beenformed in a width direction at an interval of 1.0 mm as a circuitpattern, in advance. The test piece was subjected to degreasing,microetching and water washing. Thereafter, the test piece was dipped ina surface treating composition maintained at a given liquid temperaturefor a given period of time, and then subjected to water washing anddrying, to thereby form a chemical conversion coating having a thicknessof from about 0.10 μm to 0.50 μm on a surface of copper.

The test piece having been subjected to the surface treatment wassubjected to reflow heating, in which the peak temperature was 240° C.,one time using an infrared reflow apparatus (product name:MULTI-PRO-306, manufactured by Vitronics). Thereafter, Sn—Pb solderpaste was printed on the center of the copper circuit part using a metalmask of 1.2 mm aperture diameter and 150 μm thickness, and reflowheating was conducted under the conditions described above, therebyconducting soldering. The Sn—Pb solder paste employed was eutecticsolder (trade name: OZ-63-330F-40-10, manufactured by Senju MetalIndustry Co., Ltd.) having a composition of 63Sn-37Pb (wt %).

Soldering was also conducted to a test piece having been subjected tothe surface treatment, employing lead-free solder paste in the samemanner as in the case of the Sn—Pb solder paste. The lead-free solderpaste (trade name: M705-221BM5-42-11, manufactured by Senju MetalIndustry Co., Ltd.) had a composition of 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (wt %). Thereflow heating conducted before and after the printing of the solderpaste was set such that the peak temperature was 245° C.

Regarding the test piece obtained, a length (mm) of solder wet-spread onthe copper circuit part was measured.

It is judged that wettability of solder is more excellent andsolderability is better, with an increase in the length.

Example 1

Into ion-exchanged water, 4-phenyl-2-(2-thienyl)imidazole as animidazole compound, acetic acid as an acid (and solubilizing agent),copper acetate and zinc acetate as metal salts, and ammonium chlorideand ammonium iodide as halogen compounds were dissolved so as to achievethe constitution (wt %) shown in Table 1, and the resulting solution wasadjusted to pH 3.9 with ammonia water to prepare a surface treatingcomposition.

A test piece of a printed wiring board was dipped in the surfacetreating composition controlled to 40° C. for 90 seconds, washed withwater, and dried. Then, solder flow-up properties and solderspreadability were measured. Those test results are shown in Table 1.

Examples 2 to 15

Surface treating compositions having constitutions (wt %) shown inTables 1 and 2 were prepared using imidazole compounds, acids, metalsalts and halogen compounds shown in Tables 1 and 2 in the same manneras in Example 1, and surface treatment was conducted under the treatmentconditions shown in Tables 1 and 2. Solder flow-up properties and solderspreadability of the test pieces obtained were measured. Those testresults are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Comparative Examples 1 to 6

Surface treating compositions having the constitutions (wt %) shown inTable 2 were prepared using imidazole compounds, acids, metal salts andhalogen compounds shown in Table 2 in the same manner as in Example 1,and surface treatment was conducted under the treatment conditions shownin Table 2. Solder flow-up properties and solder spreadability of thetest pieces obtained were measured. Those test results are shown inTable 2.

TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Constitution of Imidazole (A-1)0.25 — — — — — — — — — surface treating (A-2) — 0.25 — — — — — — — —composition (A-3) — — 0.25 — — — — — — — (wt %) (A-4) — — — 0.25 — — — —— — (A-5) — — — — 0.25 — — — — — (A-6) — — — — — 0.25 — — — — (A-7) — —— — — — 0.25 — — — (A-8) — — — — — — — 0.25 — — (A-9) — — — — — — — —0.25 — (A-10) — — — — — — — — — 0.25 Acid Formic acid — — — — — — 5 — —— Acetic acid 10 10 15 25 25 35 — 30 25 10 Lactic acid — — — — — — — — —— Levulinic acid — — — — — — — — — 10 Metal Copper acetate 0.10 0.100.10 — — 0.15 0.05 — — — salt Copper (II) chloride — — — 0.08 0.08 — — —— — Copper (II) bromide — — — — — — — — — — Zinc acetate 1.0 3.0 2.0 — —— 2.0 — 1.0 3.0 Zinc chloride — — — 0.3 0.3 — — 0.60 — — HalogenAmmonium chloride 0.09 — — — — — — 0.10 — — Potassium chloride — — — — —— 0.15 — 0.12 — Ammonium — — — 0.08 — 0.04 — — — 0.08 bromide Potassiumbromide — — 0.05 — 0.10 — — — — — Ammonium iodide 0.02 — — — — 0.10 — —— — Potassium iodide — 0.08 0.06 — — — 0.02 — — — Copper iodide — — — —— — — — — 0.03 pH 3.9 4.0 3.6 3.2 3.3 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.4 TreatmentTreatment temperature (° C.) 40 40 40 40 30 40 40 35 40 40 conditionTreatment time (second) 90 60 120 120 180 180 90 180 180 60 EvaluationSolder flow-up Eutectic solder 98 97 98 88 92 87 100 92 88 100 Testproperties (%) Lead-free solder 94 90 91 84 85 83 98 85 82 96 SolderEutectic solder 3.31 3.17 3.12 3.15 3.55 3.24 3.57 3.41 3.08 3.61spreadability (mm) Lead-free solder 1.68 1.66 1.64 1.58 1.70 1.62 1.711.69 1.59 1.70

TABLE 2 Example Comparative Example 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6Constitution of Imidazole (A-11) 0.25 — — — — — — — — — — surfacetreating (A-12) — 0.25 — — — — — — — — — composition (A-13) — — 0.25 — —— — — — — — (wt %) (A-14) — — — 0.20 — — — — — — — (A-15) — — — — 0.25 —— — — — — (Z-1) — — — — — 1.0 — — — — — (Z-2) — — — — — — 0.30 — — — —(Z-3) — — — — — — — 1.0 — — — (Z-4) — — — — — — — — 1.0 — — (Z-5) — — —— — — — — — 0.2 — (Z-6) — — — — — — — — — — 3.0 Acid Formic acid — 4 162 5 — — — — — 3 Acetic acid 10 — — 10 10 2 10 2 2 5 — Lactic acid — — 2— — — — — — — — Levulinic acid — — — — — — — — — — — Metal Copperacetate 0.10 0.20 0.20 — — 0.10 0.20 — — — — salt Copper (II) — — — — —— — — 0.08 — — chloride Copper (II) — — — — 0.80 — — 0.10 — — 0.05bromide Zinc acetate — — — 1.0 — 1.00 — — — — — Zinc chloride — — 0.60 —— — — — — 0.20 — Halogen Ammonium 0.10 — 0.10 — — — 0.10 — — — —chloride Potassium — — — — — — — — — — — chloride Ammonium — — — — —0.07 — — — — — bromide Potassium — 0.05 — — — — — — — — — bromideAmmonium — — — 0.01 — — — — — — — iodide Potassium iodide 0.08 0.10 — —— — — — — 0.02 — Copper iodide — — 0.02 — — — — — — — — pH 4.0 3.7 2.82.8 2.3 4.4 4.0 4.8 4.6 2.9 2.9 Treatment Treatment temperature (° C.)40 40 40 40 30 30 40 50 50 40 40 condition Treatment time (second) 90 90180 60 300 20 120 180 60 180 120 Evaluation Solder flow-up Eutecticsolder 97 87 95 98 87 28 52 55 61 72 64 Test properties (%) Lead-freesolder 93 82 91 95 81 11 27 21 27 40 32 Solder Eutectic solder 3.32 3.113.26 3.42 3.07 2.14 2.34 2.24 2.31 2.35 2.28 spreadability (mm)Lead-free solder 1.68 1.56 1.64 1.66 1.58 1.37 1.41 1.42 1.41 1.44 1.47

The surface treating composition of the present invention can be used insoldering using Sn—Pb eutectic solder without any problems, and canfurther preferably be used in soldering using lead-free solder havingpoor solderability as compared with that of the eutectic solder.

While the present invention has been described in detail and withreference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The present application is based on Japanese patent application No.2011-114289 filed on May 23, 2011, the entire contents of which areincorporated hereto by reference. All references cited herein areincorporated in their entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a surface treating composition whichallows good solderability by forming a chemical conversion coatinghaving good heat resistance and wettability to solder on a surface ofcopper or a copper alloy constituting a circuit part and the like of aprinted wiring board is disclosed. The surface treating compositionpermits joining of electronic parts and the like to a printed wiringboard using a solder. A surface treating method, a printed wiring boardand a soldering method are also provided.

1. A surface treating composition for copper or a copper alloy,comprising an imidazole compound represented by the chemical formula(I):

wherein A represents a group represented by formula (II) or a grouprepresented by formula (III), B represents a hydrogen atom, a methylgroup or a phenyl group, and Z represents a group represented by formula(IV) or a group represented by formula (V),

wherein n is 0, 1 or
 2. 2. The surface treating composition of claim 1,wherein the imidazole compound is present in the composition in anamount of from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt %.
 3. The surface treating compositionof claim 2, further comprising an organic acid or an inorganic acid,present in the composition in an amount of from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt %. 4.The surface treating composition of claim 2, further comprising a metalsalt, present in the composition in an amount of from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt%.
 5. The surface treating composition of claim 2, further comprising ahalogen compound, present in the composition in an amount of from 0.001wt % to 1 wt %.
 6. A surface treating method for copper or a copperalloy, comprising contacting a surface of copper or copper alloy withthe surface treating composition of claim
 1. 7. A printed wiring boardcomprising at least one circuit part, wherein the circuit part comprisescopper or a copper alloy and a chemical conversion coating on a surfaceof the copper or the copper alloy, wherein the coating is formed bycontacting the surface of the copper or the copper alloy with thesurface treating composition of claim
 1. 8. A method for soldering,comprising contacting a surface of copper or a copper alloy with thesurface treating composition of claim 1, and soldering to the copper orcopper alloy.
 9. A method for forming a chemical conversion coating onat least one circuit part of a printed wiring board, comprisingcontacting at least one circuit part of a printed wiring board with thesurface treating composition of claim 1, wherein the circuit partcomprises copper or a copper alloy, thereby forming a chemicalconversion coating on at least one circuit part of a printed wiringboard.
 10. A method for soldering an electronic part to a circuit partof a printed wiring board, comprising (a) contacting a circuit part of aprinted wiring board with the surface treating composition of claim 1,wherein the circuit part comprises copper or a copper alloy, and (b)soldering an electronic part to the circuit part of (a), therebysoldering an electronic part to a circuit part of a printed wiringboard.